State capture inquiry: Raymond Zondo promises hearings in August

It's a good time to be a lawyer in South Africa.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 17: Newly appointed Constitutional Court Judge Raymond Zondo on August 17, 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. Zondo was formerly a Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has vowed that the state capture inquiry will begin putting big names on the spot from August onwards.

He was speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, where the commission was giving an update on the progress made so far.

What have the state capture inquiry team done so far?

As reported by EWN, Zondo admits that investigators haven’t been able to do their “field work” yet, due to a number of complications.

It seems like confidentiality has been the biggest sticking point for the inquiry team so far. In agreeing to get key witnesses to talk, the process of guaranteeing their own security has eaten up a lot of time.

#ZondoInquiry Zondo says they needed to ensure confidentiality and the names of the investigators will not be known. He says they have now reached an agreement and can be move forward. QH

Is there a delay?

Earlier this week, Parliament handed over the evidence they had gathered during the #EskomInquiry. The portfolio committees did a sterling job of asking tough, demanding questions of suspected state captors.

What are the state capture investigators doing now?

During the press conference, Zondo was quick to deny there had been any “timewasting” from his panel. He also stated that the state capture inquiry team were trying to find “the best investigators in South Africa” – which can’t be done instantly.

Looking forward, Zondo stated that they would be requesting records from State Owned Entities and reaching out to the lawyers of the people they want to talk with. Strap in, because this one’s about to take off.